Kissimmee Looks At Culverts For Building Lake Breakwater

KISSIMMEE — City spokesman Jimmie Watford said he has found a solution to the city's search for affordable materials to build its long-awaited breakwater in Lake Tohopekaliga.

Watford, special assistant to the city manager, has found 500 defective concrete culverts at the bargain-basement price of $3 apiece.

''I believe they'll be ideal for what we want,'' he said. ''Culverts would save quite a bit of money.''

Watford has been looking for about a month for materials to construct the 1,200-foot breakwater, which got a final nod of approval from Gov. Bob Graham and his cabinet in June.

The city had been at battle for several years with state regulatory agencies about getting a permit for the breakwater, which will protect moored boats from waves.

The delay cost Watford a deal with a construction company for 200 truckloads of rubble from the destruction of the U.S. Highway 17-92 overpass south of Emmett Street. However, businessman Quinton Bass stepped forward with the culvert offer last week.

''This will be a cheaper route because of the strength of the culverts,'' Watford said. ''There will be less dirt and rubble to be hauled in'' for fill. He estimated total construction costs will run about $150,000. Work is scheduled to begin in September 1987, when the lake is drawn down, and completed a few months later.